Celery is a popular vegetable in cooking, in addition, it has a rich composition and has healing properties for the human body. Consider a detailed description of celery, features of the use of vegetables in various fields, benefits for men, women and children.

Chemical composition

The rich chemical composition of celery has a positive effect on the body, a vegetable in large quantities contains:

• ascorbic acid;
• retinol;
• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• nicotinic acid;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• fiber.

The nutritional value of a vegetable and the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates (kbzhu) depend on the consumed portion (root or stem):

• the root contains 34 kcal per 100 grams of product, including 1.3 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat, 6.5 g of carbohydrates;
• the stems contain 12 kcal per 100 grams, including 0.9 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 2.1 g of carbohydrates.

Did you know? Celery is called a vegetable with a negative calorie content, in a sense, this is true. One stick of the stem contains about 10 kcal, but during the process of digestion, the body consumes more calories, which contributes to weight loss.

What is useful celery

Any part of celery will benefit the body, with proper consumption and compliance with recommendations. This vegetable is very popular among men, as its beneficial properties for men's health are widely known. But to underestimate the benefits that consumption of the product brings to women and children is also impossible. Therefore, we consider why celery is recommended to be used by everyone, without exception.

• The total benefits for the body from the consumption of vegetables for all people, adults and children are presented:
• strengthening immunity for colds and viral diseases, due to the high content of vitamins and minerals, in particular vitamin C, which is involved in redox processes;
• anti-inflammatory effect, due to the high content of polysaccharides;
• normalization of blood pressure and the work of the cardiovascular system, strengthening of the vascular walls;
• stimulation of the production of gastric juice, improved appetite;
• normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, saving from constipation and diarrhea;
• stimulation of brain activity, improving brain function;
• calming the nervous system, increased nervousness, preventing insomnia;
• diuretic exposure, the elimination of toxins from the body, improving liver function;
• increased visual acuity, prevention and treatment of eye diseases;
• normalization of the endocrine glands in diseases of the thyroid gland;
• minimum calories and nutrition, which allow you to quickly and effectively lose weight with regular consumption of vegetables;
• improving metabolic processes of the body.

For men

Celery is the most useful for men. Its composition is rich in substances that stimulate the production of androsterone, which is referred to as steroid hormones. Androsterone, like testosterone, has an active biological effect on potency, stimulates the testes.

• The positive effects of using the product are also presented:
• normalization of reproductive function, due to the improvement of spermatogenetic processes;
• aphrodisiac properties that enhance sexual desire;
• prostatitis prophylaxis;
• prevention of problems with the genitourinary system.

For women

The main value of the vegetable for women is to slow down the aging process, cleanse the skin, and normalize the body's metabolic processes. The rich composition of the product allows you to maintain skin, nails and hair in good condition, to normalize the production of hormones.

For children

Celery should be present in the children's diet, as it has an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing effect on the body. The vegetable weakens a bit, so it carefully fights constipation, without harming the delicate baby body. The root vegetable is able to treat diseases of the bladder. Vegetables can increase appetite, strengthen children's teeth, bones and improve brain function.

Application in various fields

The use of celery is possible in different fields, so let us consider in more detail the features of application in cooking, traditional medicine and cosmetology.

In cooking

Due to the unusual nutty aroma, the vegetable is very much appreciated in cooking. Vegetables are added to main dishes to give a rich aroma. The root crop goes well with meat and fish dishes, and the stalks and greens are put in salads, cold snacks. Celery will complement any vegetable dish, as it goes well with potatoes, onions, eggplant, cucumbers, mushrooms, carrots and beans.

Important! When purchasing celery stalks, pay attention to the presence of the seed arrow, if any — it is better not to acquire such stems; their use can completely ruin the dish, giving unpleasant bitterness.

In cosmetology

Celery is often used in home cosmetology as a tool against skin aging, removing facial wrinkles, defects and rashes, as well as cleansing and nutrition.

Most often, the product is used in the form of masks, so consider a few effective recipes where celery is added:

1. Mask for cleansing oily skin, which tightens pores, normalizes the sebaceous glands. The tool is prepared on the basis of dried herbs and celery leaves: 1 tbsp. l dill, parsley, celery, chamomile, sage. All dry components must be filled with a glass of boiling water and left for 1 hour. For one mask, use 2 tbsp. infusion, 1 egg white, mix everything thoroughly with a fork and apply to the face with a cotton pad. It is necessary to apply 3-4 layers, waiting for the previous to dry completely. After applying the last layer, you should hold the product on your face for another 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
2. Celery mask for rejuvenation, skin tightening, giving a fresh healthy appearance. Such a tool not only tightens the skin, but also triggers cell regeneration processes, stimulates the production of collagen. To prepare the mask, you need to mix a decoction of celery stalks (3 tbsp.), Avocado (2 tsp.), Rice starch (1 tsp.). A decoction of stems is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. chopped petioles use 1 tbsp. water, boil over low heat for 10 minutes, leave for 1 hour until cool. The broth should be mixed with other components and applied to clean skin for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
3. Mask for nourishing dry skin, has a moisturizing and nourishing effect, eliminates peeling, suitable for sensitive skin. To prepare the mask use celery - 3 stalks, fat cottage cheese - 1 tbsp. l., milk - 2 tbsp. The vegetable is ground in a blender, milk and cottage cheese are added, mixed thoroughly and applied to the face. Leave the product for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

In folk medicine

Any part of celery can be used as a medicine, they are used to make decoctions, juices, and cosmetics that help cure common diseases and help solve other health problems.

With insomnia and irritability

To save yourself from rare cases of insomnia, use a celery broth mixed with wine or port. To prepare a therapeutic drink, mix 5 tbsp. herb or vegetable root with 500 ml of alcohol and boil for 15 minutes. Leave the mixture for 60 minutes to cool completely, strain and take 50 g overnight.

To solve the problem of chronic insomnia, you can use the infusion of the vegetable. To prepare the product, use 2 tbsp. herb or vegetable root and a glass of boiling water. The product should be infused for 2 hours. Take the infusion 2 times a day - 2 hours before bedtime and just before bedtime, 0.5 cup. Reception continues until the dream improves.

To get rid of irritability, a celery and valerian based product is used. It is very simple to prepare the medicine: chopped valerian roots (1 tbsp. L.) And celery leaves (1 tbsp. L.) Are poured with water and boiled for 15 minutes, removed from heat, insisted for 10 minutes, filtered, cooled and taken for 1 tbsp. 3 times a day, regardless of food intake.

With frostbite

Celery is very effective for frostbite, it is used in the form of decoctions to repair damaged tissue. To prepare the drug, it is necessary to boil the root crop (150 g) in 1 liter of water. Lightly cool the decoction of the cooked vegetable so that you can immerse the frostbitten part of the body there, keep it until the liquid cools completely. Rinse the affected area with cool water, rub with animal fat.

Important! Frozen areas of the body lose their sensitivity, so the temperature of the decoction should be tried with a healthy hand, so as not to get a burn.

With rheumatism

Celery essential oil, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, is widely used to treat rheumatism. It is used in the process of massage of painful areas of the body, which allows you to get rid of accumulations of uric acid in the joints, anesthetize and relieve inflammation. In addition, you can consume vegetable juice, which will affect the affected joints from the inside. For treatment, fresh vegetable juice is drunk 100 g 2 times a day 20 minutes before eating.

With sexual weakness

To overcome sexual weakness, which sometimes occurs in men for various reasons, you can use celery juice. Fresh root is passed through a juicer, collecting the required amount (100 g), add sea buckthorn juice (2 tbsp. L.) And drink. You can use this tool regularly, it will not only allow you to enhance sexual desire, but also have a positive effect on all functions of the body.

How to choose upon purchase

To get the maximum benefit from eating celery, you need to understand the intricacies of choosing a vegetable when buying.

Depending on what part of the vegetable you plan to purchase, pay attention to its appearance:

1. High-quality stems will have a pleasant fresh appearance, elastic to the touch, with shiny bright green color. When trying to separate the stems from each other, a characteristic crunch will be heard - this means that the vegetable is freshly picked. Pay attention to the surface of the stems - they should not have scratches, stains, dark spots, traces of rot or pests.
2. Root crops have a light milky or brownish tint, without extraneous inclusions, spots. The root must be intact, without traces of mechanical damage. It is better to choose smaller roots - in this case, you can get the most aromatic and tasteful root crop.

Did you know? To get high-quality stalks and celery roots, they are harvested at different times and separately from each other: the stems are cut before the root is formed, and the root is dug up much later.

How to store at home

In a warm room, the preservation of celery without loss of appearance and taste is 4 days. To extend the shelf life of the vegetable, it is recommended to place it in a cool place, for example, a refrigerator. In this case, it is possible to eat a fresh vegetable for 2 weeks. Such storage periods apply only to greens and stems.

The root is stored much longer - up to 1 month in the refrigerator and up to 4 months in the cellar, subject to certain technology. The best option to keep the root vegetable fresh for a long time is a wooden box, while each root vegetable is sprinkled with plenty of sand, laying in layers. Place the box with root vegetables in a cool, dark room.

Video: Harvesting and storing root celery

Contraindications and possible harm

Contraindications to the use of celery are pregnancy and lactation. The use of vegetable-based medicines for stomach ulcers, gastritis, and kidney disease is prohibited. With caution, you should consume the vegetable for people with high acidity of the stomach, after consulting with a specialist. In cases of blood pressure disorders, the question also arises, does this vegetable increase or decrease pressure. Doctors warn that the use of the product can lead to increased pressure, so people with hypertension are strictly forbidden to add it to the diet.

Side effects from the use of celery are represented by complications of existing diseases in which the consumption of this vegetable is prohibited.

Thus, celery is a very useful product for the human body. It is used for ingestion and externally for the treatment of health problems. To get the most benefit and not harm the body, you must follow the recommendations for preparation and use.